Two Indian defence magazines FORCE and India Strategic were hit by Chinese hackers recently, a joint report by the Munk University Information Warfare Monitor and Shadowserver foundation has found. The report, published today, notes, “We assess that computers at the India Strategic defence magazine and FORCE magazine were compromised based on the documents exfiltrated by the attackers. During the period in which we monitored the attackers, 58 documents were exfiltrated. While these documents include publicly accessible articles and previous drafts of those articles, there is also private information regarding the contact details of subscribers and conference participants. The documents also include interviews, documents, and PowerPoint presentations from conferences that detail national security topics, such as network data and monitoring for national security, and responses to combat cyber threats.”
The report continues: “During our investigations we found that a variety of academic targets had been compromised, including those at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) as well as journalists at India Strategic defence magazine and FORCE magazine. The exfiltrated papers included those discussing the containment of the PRC, Chinese military exports, and Chinese foreign policy on Taiwan and Sino-Indian relations. More specifically, there were documents that focused on ethnicity, religion and politics in Central Asia, and the links between armed groups and the PRC. Although the academic papers exfiltrated by the attackers are publicly available, the content of the material indicates that the attackers managed to compromise those with a keen interest in the PRC.”
This is of course just the tip. The report reveals that several agencies and units, including the IAF station in Vadodara, the 21 Mountain Brigade and the Military Engineer Service had information stolen by Chinese hackers.
Just for information. The major networking devices used all over the world are from China. So it makes very easy to hack these devices. That is one of the reason why INDIA should ban devices specially networking devices like these made in China ( Where the firmware is also made in China )
Simmering Maoist Rebellion, Least amount of war ready air force squadrons(33), Low army weapons inventory, etc
If I were chinese , I would have attacked now. The best time. Except that we have a strong and ever ready and one of the most professional navies in the world.
what are these chinese trying to do..
now in this we can't keep a mum we are their 'baaps' in IT we should show these chilichikens their aukaad…….
You dont seem to mention that following were also hacked- Indian Military Engineer Services in Bengdubi, Calcutta, Bangalore and Jalandhar; the 21 Mountain Artillery Brigade in Assam and three air force bases. Computers at two Indian military colleges were also taken over by the spy ring. Indian Embassy computers in Kabul, Moscow and Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and at the High Commission of India in Abuja, Nigeria.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/06/science/06cyber.html?ref=technology
Shiv you could've called Praveen Sahani and done this story for Headlines as its about Indian defence and involves 3 IAF bases, 21 mtn arty brigade etc…
Why do they need to be on the internet? I do not understand. India needs to create IWW(India Wide Web) that is only accesible within India and nowhere outside. And that too most computers must not be connected on the net and if so, then info on them should only be on need-to-keep basis.
Good job by the Chinese!!! Forget Force or other magazines but if it is true than China entered deep into Indian defence. Thats a very very serious issue!!! Now they know what we are doing and who are doing!!! Biggest Chinese assets are CPM and others Leftists.
What are those people in South Block are doing!!!
Are you sure livefist and Broadsword are not hacked. In recent days, I have had to submit my comment twice on broadsword to get to acknowledge comment submission.
NO NEED TO BE STUPID. JUST OPEN SOME INFORMATION FOR THE CHINESE TO GET INTO AND INFILTRATE INTO BUT HIDE THE REAL INFORMATION AND ALSO ORGANISE AN INDIAN TEAM OF HACKERS AND PAY THEM THE EQUIVALENT OF OFFICER'S SALARIES AND PERKS. TREAT THESE HACKERS LIKE THEY ARE THE CREAM OF INDIA AND START A BRIGADE OF HACKERS AND HACK INTO EVERYONE. NOT JUST THE CHINESE BUT EVERYONE BECAUSE THIS IS THE CHEAPEST WAY TO STEAL TECHNOLOGY AND LEAP FROG INTO THE FUTURE
It is really wierd. India is supposed to be the leader in softwares and Indian IT guys are in demand overseas but when it comes to protecting Indian military sites and other very sensitive areas, the GOI is so callous and lethargic in taking any action.
I wish GOI has a special covert operation to look into the Chinese military set up and subvert them if they are seen to be detrimental to India's interest.
When is India going to be proactive and retroactive as it has been all this while. Even in the nuclear arena, India has declared unilaterally that it won't use its nuclear arsenal first. Is it because it has NO viable nuclear deterrent?
Not only India is seen as wimpish but Indians all over the world are being bullied even by small countries such as Malaysia.
High time Indians flex their muscles and show the bullies that it has the wherewithal to teach them a proper lesson. For that to happen we need politicians who has the will and forsight to make India a genuine superpower in the 21st century.
Do we have such leaders?
No brainer…must be old duffers using IE6 on windows XP…that's like taking a piece of candy from a kid…
What irks me is, the same old technically challenged dunderheads must be on the other side of the border using fake Miclosaft OSes…what are we doing about that…
Even if Livefist and Broadsword are hacked what then….what is there in these blogs that would bother anyone, least of all Indian Govt..only press releases are put here and photos
Now china is becoming rouge nation,
Axes of Evil:
1. China
2. Pakistan
3. North Korea
Hopefully somebody will wake up from their slumber!
Cheers
Neelam
just one question Shiv
a report said 'Recovered documents also included presentations relating to the following projects: Pechora Missile System — an anti-aircraft surface-to-air missile system, Iron Dome Missile System — a mobile missile defence system (Ratzlav-Katz 2010) and Project Shakti — an artillery combat command and control system (Frontier India 2009).'
Do the above mentioned systems exist n India.
@ Terminator.
It is true that India has best IT -software developers. But the best hackers in the world are from:
Guess?
……. Pakistan.
Anything we are good at creating, these guys will be good at destroying
DM Anthony has stated that the private sector will get more projects…The relevant private sector organizations should ensure security of classified knowledge and create underground nuclear, chemical,, proof complexes that are immune to espionage and rogue attack incidents. Even the present military establishments and life sustaining manufacturing organizations should begin immediately to adhere to those standards. We are a nation suffused by our own sense of invincibility – while our military rhetoric bears no semblance to actuality.
We talk of fighting a two pronged war. In the same breath we talk of low Army supplies, 33 fighter jet squadrons mostly HAL maintained, a second tiered scampering Navy with no lethal punch – what else…chicken tikka with fried onions for the Chinese, Americans perhaps! They all like Indian food – who knows why??? They never used to.
The past 20 years after Bofors, have seen a steady deterioration in Indian Defence. This must be arrested immediately and the necessary actions undertaken.
Why cant the Indian government risr a Auxiliary Air Force to deal with the internal threats & to support the paramilitary forces?
There seems to be a provision for that
http://indianairforce.nic.in/RTI/ReserveAuxiliaryAFAct52Rules53.pdf
Firstly, let me 'congratulate' Shiv Aroor on nicely downplaying the extent of Chinese cyberattack. This give time for GOI as it lumbers itself into "analysing" the event.
Translation: GOI which is still awaiting the committee report on linux vs windows, got a first hand intro to CYBERWARFARE. Then after a decade, we will have another committee to study their report. Finally when India's cyberwarfare strategy is finalized, it will probably be signed in Bejing.
Wow, new glorious indian air force station!!! Seems so powerful. My heartiest congratulations to all air force members.
Hi Shiv.! why our defence documents are aviable in a public servers or partily connected to it? i never think even my office doc is no ware near to any public systems. simple logic. we must recurit hackers to support our nations assets in cyber warfare, can GoI have any idea? if yes i too apply for it.
chas,
Anandha Murali MS
Logic of opening forward air defence bases on LOC with China is questionable? Reasons: Any attack from China will be an all out surprise Blitzkrieg involving: Stealth UCAVs, Mach10 stealth cruise missiles and stealth fighters & bombers; post a terrifying and crippling cyber attacks on all Indian network-centric warfare installations. Better to maintain only a minimal fighter strength on forward air bases and, to concentrate fighter fleets in vastly protected well-inland Pivot Airbases. Non-network centric & unconventional means of hardened communications, requires to be in place to overcome these Chinese cyber attacks.
very nice.. like the step by step pictures most you have come up with i am tried the similar recipe, you have many of good recipes.. do try to visit my place when time permits love to have your feedback dear ..i have followed u glad if u follow me back.. Have a good day…..!
Chowringhee